God has revealed himself to us through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the visible image of the invisible God, the holy scriptures, and through all of creation itself.
Core Beliefs
The following are the core beliefs of Central Trinity UMC based on the foundational truths taught in the bible. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows out of these biblical doctrines.
The Bible
The Bible is God’s inspired Word to all people. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit and is completely relevant to our daily lives.
God
God has existed forever as one substance in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Although each member of the Trinity serves different functions, they each possess equal power and authority. God is all powerful, all knowing, ever present, unchanging, completely worthy of our trust, and above all, holy. It is in Him that we live, move and exist. God is good. He is loving, compassionate, and faithful to His people and His promises.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is completely human but, at the same time, completely God. He is the only plan for bringing people who are far from God back into a right relationship with God. He lived a perfect life, so that He could be a perfect substitution for us in satisfying God’s demands for sin. He defeated death in His resurrection so that we can have forgiveness for sin and new life in and through Jesus.
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit’s presence assures us of our relationship with Christ. The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and exalts Christ, and convicts people of their sin. The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to draw us closer toward God. He comforts us, gives us spiritual gifts, and makes us more like Christ.
Human Beings
Human beings are made in the image of God and are the climax of God’s creative acts. Human beings were created to have fellowship with God but became separated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, we cannot attain a right relationship with God through our own effort. All human beings are uniquely created, possess dignity, and are worthy of respect and love.
Salvation
The blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the only way of salvation through the forgiveness of sin. Salvation occurs when people place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin. Salvation is a gift from God, and it cannot be earned through our own efforts.
The Church
The Church is a local community of baptized believers unified through faith in Christ. It is committed to the teachings of Christ and obeying all of His commands, and it seeks to bring the message of God’s love as offered through a relationship with Jesus Christ. The Church’s mission is to love God and others as it seeks to connect persons with God through Jesus.
Methodism
As United Methodists, we join with our Methodist brothers and sisters around the world and claim the historic distinctives of Wesleyan faith: prevenient grace, free will, personal & social holiness, assurance of the believer, and a connected church. For more information on United Methodist beliefs, see UMC.ORG.